When your air conditioner is spotless and operating right, it’s not normal to be smelling anything odd. Unusual air conditioner noises and weird smells are a hint that something is off. If your air conditioner is old or you haven’t had service done lately, they can be a sure sign you need pro air conditioning repair in Alice.
Here are six of the top air conditioner smells and how you can fix them.
1. Central Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If your air conditioner smells bad when turned on, specifically a chemical smell, it isn’t a positive sign. You may also observe your:
- Air conditioner smells like paint thinner
- Home air conditioner smells sweet
These sweet, chemical smells are often a clue that your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. Your system uses this gas to move heat through copper coils, which can break out over time.
Four clues you have a refrigerant leak.
Besides the odd smell, here are four other hints that you have a refrigerant leak.
- Bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner is on.
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
- Difficulty keeping your house cool or having your set temperature.
- High utility bills.
How You Can Repair It
A refrigerant leak requires experienced repairs from a heating and cooling company like Rescue Heating & Air. Your cooling technician will locate and repair the leak before recharging your AC with refrigerant.
Resolving a refrigerant leak typically costs between $225 and $1,600, per nationwide averages assembled by HomeAdvisor. Your total cost will depend on the location and severity of the leak, as well as how much time it requires to solve.
If your air conditioner was installed early than 2010, there’s a high probability it runs on R-22 or Freon refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, repairs can be significantly expensive so it may be smartest to do air conditioning installation in this circumstance.
2. Air Conditioner Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, there’s likely nothing wrong with it. But there’s a significant chance you have a natural gas leak in your residence. Natural gas has a sulfur-like additive to warn you when there’s a leak, because the gas can be toxic in big amounts.
How You Can Fix It
If you smell a sulfur or rotten egg odor, we recommend:
- Shutting off your gas supply.
- Opening windows.
- Leaving your home right away.
- Contacting your gas company now.
3. Air Conditioner Smells Musty
Individuals who contact us regarding this problem usually say their air conditioner smells like feet, dirty socks or a locker room when it’s running. Also known as dirty sock syndrome, this smell is usually linked to a filthy evaporator coil that has mold, mildew and bacteria buildup. Excess water can also make your home air conditioner smell bad. Dirty sock syndrome is most often seen in areas where you need heating at night and during the morning before turning on cooling during the afternoon.
How to Fix It
The best way to prevent dirty sock syndrome is to regularly change your air filter and schedule annual air conditioning maintenance with Rescue Heating & Air. We’ll keep the evaporator coil clean and the drainage system flowing, since standing water can also result in nasty odors.
4. Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
If you are living with air conditioner mildew smell or an acidic, vinegar-like odor, it might be caused by several situations, like:
- A dirty filter
- Extra condensation
- Blocked condensate pan or drain line
- Moldy air conditioner or ductwork
How to Solve It
Examine your filter first. If you haven’t replaced it within the last three months and can’t see light through it, you should replace it. If that doesn’t solve the smell, call Rescue Heating & Air at 361-265-4371.
5. Air Conditioner Smells Like Burning Plastic
If you’re dealing with an air conditioner burning smell or that your air conditioner smells like fish, there could be several things wrong. These involve:
- Broken capacitator that’s overheating the motor.
- Motor that requires lubrication.
- Broken fan belt.
- Electrical issue.
Electrical malfunctions should be inspected right away to stop a fire. If you detect burning plastic when your air conditioner is running, shut it off and contact us at 361-265-4371 right away.
6. Air Conditioner Smells Like Cat Pee
An overpowering ammonia odor means there might be mold present inside your air conditioner or ductwork. The smell isn’t the mold itself, but the mycotoxins that mold creates.
How to Repair It
Mycotoxins are hazardous to your health. That’s why we recommend having a professional like Rescue Heating & Air check your air conditioner and ductwork and clean it when recommended.
Our Pros Can Take Care of Odd Air Conditioner Smells Fast.
You deserve to be comfortable in your home and shouldn’t have an air conditioner that smells bad. When you are looking for relief from your smelly air conditioner, give us a call at 361-265-4371. We’ll figure out the issue quickly and take care of it at a reasonable.